15 areas being monitored by Comelec, PNP, AFP for May 13 polls

At least 15 areas are being monitored by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as well as by the military and the police in connection with the May 13 elections, poll chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Tuesday. In an interview with reporters, Brillantes said the areas being continuously monitored are:

• Abra,
• Ilocos,
• Pangasinan,
• La Union
• Cagayan,
• Nueve Ecija,
• Pampanga,
• Cavite,
• Batangas,
• Masbate,
• Western Samar,
• Misamis Occidental,
• Maguindanao,
• Lanao del Sur, and
• Basilan

The list was the same as the previous one prepared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Brillantes said the areas were included on the list based on reports of crimes committed and other election-related activities that happened there from January 13 to March 15. He said the list was part of the report submitted by the PNP and the AFP to the Comelec during a meeting earlier in the day. He refused to divulge other details about the report, saying they are confidential. Deputy Director General Ager Ontog Jr., PNP deputy chief for operations, said the peace and order situation in the country is “generally okay” and that they have yet to recommended any area to be declared as an election hotspot. Brillantes said the areas will no longer be called as hotspots but will be classified as areas of concern, of immediate concern, or of grave concern depending on the degree of the peace and order situation. He said an area can be removed from the list if the peace and order situation improves. If the situation worsens, an area will be moved to the list of immediate concern or of grave concern. “Minomonitor lang [itong mga area na ito], bantayan mo, tignan mo kung bababa para mawala sa areas of concern o aakyat,” said Brillantes. If the situation does not improve and there are rampant killings, the Comelec, police and military will consider putting an area under the poll body’s control. When an area is placed under Comelec control, the poll commissioner to be assigned in the province will be the acting governor. The commissioner will then run the province and take command of the law enforcement there. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News